Holiday cheer for violence victims

By James Edgar, Yorkshire Evening Post

DOMESTIC violence victims from Leeds will be able to enjoy a much-needed holiday break on Yorkshire’s East Coast this spring.

Fifty children and 29 women will spend a week caravanning in the May half-term.

The Leeds Hospital Fund has donated £7,000 towards ensuring the trip, organised by the Leeds Women’s Aid (LWA) charity for sufferers of domestic violence, goes ahead.

Rosie Robinson, director of LWA, said: “The children are just thrilled. It’s a chance for them to spend time with their mums and put the past behind them.”

The charity works with women and children who experience violence, and provides safe places for them to stay.

The holidaymakers live in the organisation’s refuges and safe houses.

Coaches will take the trippers to the coastal holiday park where each family will have their own caravan and entertainment passes.

Ms Robinson said: “It’s thrilling really, because the women and children don’t normally get holidays.

Peaceful “All we want is for the children to enjoy the time that others take for granted. It’s something they think other children do but they don’t.”

She believes a holiday will give the children valuable, peaceful quality time with their mothers and will improve the childrens’ mental health, sense of well-being, self-esteem and confidence.

Youngsters have told her that they would like to go on holiday, and most of all, they want to be “just like other kids.”Leeds Women’s Aid works in the community, runs sessions at ante-natal departments of hospitals and helps protect unborn children.

The charity also operates in schools, raising awareness about domestic violence and healthy family relationships with children and young people.

The total cost of the holiday is £11,500, and the remaining money was raised during Leeds Shopping Week 2007.

Ms Robinson said: “We have hired 29 caravans for a week so it becomes really expensive. But we’re delighted the holiday is going ahead.”

Leeds Women’s Aid would be grateful for any further donations towards the project and others in the future.

The 24-hour helpline is (0113) 246 0401.

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